Gajser & Evans Sign Extensions With Team HRC

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Team HRC made news on Monday by announcing multi-year contract extensions for Tim Gajser and Mitch Evans in the Monster Energy FIM Motocross World Championship. This is a major development for the two, as it keeps them on factory equipment and confirms Honda’s investment in both riders as they race the highly competitive MXGP series. 

Gajser has been Honda’s guy for a while and for good reason. The Slovenian was signed to the then-smaller Gariboldi Racing squad after a handful of impressive results in the MX2 class, went on to win the 250 class title in 2015, and he was instrumental in Gariboldi’s progression from well-supported team to its current status as the full-factory operation of Honda. All three of Gajser’s world championships have been aboard Honda motorcycles (MX2 in 2015, MXGP in 2016 and 2019) and he is the current point leader in the 2020 point standings. “I’ve been here for the past seven years and to me this team feels like a family so I’m really happy to stay,” stated Gajser in the press release. “We will keep giving our best and we are all excited and ready to fight for the title every year and I believe this is the best place for me to be, especially on board the Honda CRF450RW. It is great to confirm this and continue our partnership that has already seen us become multi-time world champions.”

Evans is still in his first year with the factory team, but they seem to have plenty of faith in the Australian rider. After spending the 2019 season with the 114 Motorsports satellite team in the MX2 class, Evans was promoted to the MXGP class and made his debut with the factory team at the All-Japan MX Championship finale in Sugo. A shoulder injury that required surgery early in the year put Evans in a precarious position, but the pandemic hiatus was long enough for him to undergo the procedure, recover, and return to action for the series restart. Evans is currently ranked 11th in the 2020 point standings. “I’m very happy to have the deal done and in place. It now allows me to focus on the rest of the season and putting in the best results possible. It also gives me a platform to build upon for the future, and I feel like we’ve built a good relationship already and I’m excited for that to continue,” explained Evans in the announcement. “I want to keep improving and working with this team and riding the Honda CRF450RW and I feel Team HRC has proven itself as the best team for me to achieve my dreams of challenging for a world title.”

The press release from Team HRC is posted in full below…

Honda Racing Corporation (HRC) announced that it has renewed its contracts with Tim Gajser (24 years old, Slovenia) and Mitchell Evans (21 years old, Australia), for multiple years. Both riders are currently competing for Team HRC in the FIM Motocross World Championship Premier MXGP Class. 

After becoming the FIM Motocross World Championship MX2 world champion in 2015, Tim Gajser joined Honda’s Team HRC factory team.

to compete in, and win the premier MXGP class. He won his second MXGP title in 2019, and is currently leading the 2020 championship, aiming for his second consecutive, and third total, title in the premier class.

Mitchell Evans entered the FIM Motocross World Championship MX2 class in 2019, to finish an impressive 11th in his debut year. In 2020 he joined Team HRC to race in the MXGP class, and is currently ranked 11th.

Tim Gajser | Team HRC: “I’m super happy to extend my contract with Honda and Team HRC. I’ve been here for the past seven years and to me this team feels like a family so I’m really happy to stay. We will keep giving our best and we are all excited and ready to fight for the title every year and I believe this is the best place for me to be, especially on board the Honda CRF450RW. It is great to confirm this and continue our partnership that has already seen us become multi-time world champions.” 

Mitchell Evans | Team HRC: “I’m very happy to have the deal done and in place. It now allows me to focus on the rest of the season and putting in the best results possible. It also gives me a platform to build upon for the future, and I feel like we’ve built a good relationship already and I’m excited for that to continue. I want to keep improving and working with this team and riding the Honda CRF450RW and I feel Team HRC has proven itself as the best team for me to achieve my dreams of challenging for a world title.” 

Yoshishige Nomura | HRC President: “I am very pleased that Tim Gajser and Mitchell Evans will continue to fight with us in the MXGP class for next season. Due to COVID-19, this season has been competed on a very tight schedule. Even so, Tim [Gajser] is fighting to win the championship, and Mitchell [Evans] is nearly in the top 10. Team HRC and our riders will fight for the championship next year and live up to our fans’ expectations. We look forward to your continued support.”